Bishop Godfrey Onah of the Diocese of Nsukka, Enugu State, encouraged Nigerians to retain hope and actively participate in the collective effort to improve the nation during a recent thanksgiving service in Abuja. The event celebrated the tenure of Rev. Fr. Uchechukwu Obodoechina, the Executive Secretary of Caritas-Nigeria, a Catholic agency dedicated to aiding the impoverished. Recognizing the challenging circumstances many Nigerians face, Onah emphasized individual responsibility in addressing the nation’s issues, asserting that genuine solutions must come from Nigerians themselves.
In his address, Bishop Onah underscored the importance of community effort in fostering national development. He famously stated that “Nigeria is in the hands of Nigerians,” reiterating that surrendering hope is detrimental to the country’s progress. He challenged each citizen to consider their role in the nation’s improvement rather than perpetually casting blame on others. By demanding personal accountability and active engagement in the betterment of society, he advocated for a mindset shift among Nigerians to work collectively for their nation.
Onah did not overlook the role of the government, tasking it to fulfill its obligations to its citizens. While acknowledging the limitations of government resources, he pointed to the necessary existence of NGOs such as Caritas-Nigeria, which fill critical gaps in service and welfare for marginalized communities. He asserted that the reality where NGOs sometimes outperform the government not only exposes the deficiencies in governance but also reflects poorly on the bureaucratic system tasked with the welfare of the populace.
Rev. Fr. Obodoechina, reflecting on his eight years of service, expressed gratitude to God, the church, and his colleagues for their collective support. He stressed the need for government action, urging leaders at all levels to ensure that Nigerians are afforded the same quality of life and dignity as citizens in more developed countries such as Germany, the USA, and the UK. His remarks further emphasized that dignified living is a fundamental right that should not be compromised, and reiterated the urgency for the government to step up in its protective and service role.
Addressing the challenges presented by the current functionality of government structures, both Onah and Obodoechina agreed that if governmental bodies fail to meet citizens’ needs, it becomes the responsibility of religious and civil society organizations to step in. They highlighted the critical roles played by NGOs in alleviating poverty and supporting vulnerable populations. Their emphasis on collaborative efforts between the government and these organizations reflects a growing awareness of the multifaceted approaches needed to combat poverty and ensure basic human rights are upheld.
In closing, the thanksgiving service served not only as a celebration of achievements within Caritas-Nigeria but also as a call to action for all Nigerians. The importance of hope, individual responsibility, and the need for effective governance were central themes in both Onah’s and Obodoechina’s speeches. As they encouraged Nigerians to engage in proactive efforts to uplift their communities, they painted a picture of a potential future where collaborative engagement leads to a more dignified existence for all citizens, reinforcing the message that meaningful change requires both governmental and civilian commitment to a shared vision of progress.
